A man named Gufran has been accused of tricking a Hindu woman in the Ballia district in Uttar Pradesh under false pretences. Gufran reportedly posed as a Hindu man to befriend the victim on Instagram and subsequently marry her. When the truth came to light, the woman filed a complaint against him at the Ubhanv police station. The police registered the case and arrested the man.
According to reports, the woman, who lives in a village under the Ubhanv police jurisdiction, accused a young man from Jamuwan Khampur of deceiving her. The man, named Gufran, impersonated a Hindu and befriended her on Instagram. After becoming close, he married her at a temple and they engaged in physical relations, secretly recording a video. Later, he revealed that his real name was not Jay Prakash, but Gufran and that he was from the Muslim community.
The woman accused him of cheating and pressuring her to convert to Islam and marry him. Distressed, she filed a complaint with the police. After investigating, the Ubhanv police registered the case and arrested the accused, Gufran.
Rasda CO Ashish Mishra reported that on March 7, a woman from Belthra Road, within the Ubhanv police jurisdiction, filed a complaint. She claimed that a man from another community had contacted her on Instagram and exploited her physically. Based on her complaint, a case was registered, and the accused was arrested and sent to jail. Further legal proceedings are ongoing.
Syria has witnessed brutal attacks against members of the Alawite minority since the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad. In mid-January 2025, it was reported that Alawite villagers in Homs province became targets of attacks linked to the interim government headed by Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Mohammad al-Julani. In one of the targeted attacks, at least six civilians were reportedly killed, and homes were set ablaze in the village of Tasnin.
Since then, violence against Alawites has erupted and sharply escalated in early March 2025 in Syria’s coastal heartland, Latakia and Tartous. These regions are heavily populated by Alawites. Fighters loyal to the former regime and the interim government clashed, leading to curfews in major coastal cities.
Amid the unrest, evidence of massacres has emerged. As per reports, over 340 people from the Alawite community, including women and children, have been killed by gunmen and security forces. It has been alleged that Syrian security forces have executed at least 52 Alawite civilians in Latakia province. According to Reuters, several Alawites were killed as the Islamist-led government moved to crush the Alawite insurgency. Videos showing bodies of Alawite men piled and even dragged behind cars surfaced on social media.
Local activists and members of the Alawite community blamed militias aligned with the new government for these attacks. However, Syrian officials have insisted that these incidents were isolated “violations” amid efforts to curb pro-Assad rebels.
Who are the Alawites?
Alawites are a small but influential religious minority in Syria. They comprise around 10% to 15% of the country’s total population. Alawites are an offshoot of the Shia community and hold heterodox beliefs, following Ali (cousin of Prophet Muhammad) as a central figure. The community was historically marginalised under Ottoman Sunni rule. However, they rose to prominence in the 20th century, especially after Hafez al-Assad took control of Syria.
For the next five decades, the Assad family effectively ruled Syria, and Alawite elites dominated the military and security services. When Bashar al-Assad came to power, he continued this pattern and placed his fellow Alawites in key positions in the army and intelligence apparatus. The Sunni majority in Syria resented Alawite domination during Assad’s rule. At the same time, Alawites stood firmly with Assad, fearing they would face persecution or even extermination if the regime fell—and that is exactly what has been happening since Assad’s removal.
Notably, Assad was close to Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, both Shia allies. This further cemented the perception that Alawites were aligned with Shiite interests in a Sunni-majority country.
Why are they being targeted?
The recent massacres of Alawites have resulted in political and sectarian uproar. The Sunni-led rebel factions see Alawites as synonymous with the Assad regime. Reportedly, Assad brutally suppressed dissent during his rule. Now that he is gone, some elements seek retribution against those they see as responsible for past atrocities. Entire Alawite villages are considered loyal to the ousted president, making them easy targets for fighters seeking revenge.
The interim government under Ahmed al-Sharaa has framed its campaign as a security operation against the remnants of the old regime. Al-Sharaa was once a jihadist commander. He has vowed to pursue Assad loyalists and bring them to trial. In practice, however, his forces have launched large-scale offensives in Alawite areas under the pretext of quelling an insurgency.
The Alawite Islamic Council has accused government fighters of terrorising and killing Syrians. Contrary to these accusations, the fighters have been posing as hunters of “regime remnants”.
Sectarian ideology is yet another reason for the massacres. Hardline Sunni militants have long seen Alawites as enemies. Notably, al-Julani’s own rhetoric during the war often had sectarian overtones. In 2015, as leader of al-Qaeda’s Syrian branch, he even urged retaliatory attacks on Alawite villages in Latakia to avenge regime-aligned offensives.
In short, Alawites are being targeted because they are seen as supporters of the past “dictatorship” and as members of a sect that the victors of Syria’s civil war have historically demonised.
Implications for Syria’s future
The ongoing attacks on Alawites threaten stability in Syria and the surrounding regions. There is a risk that they will further fuel sectarian conflict. If the interim government fails to stop the revenge killings, it will alienate minorities, and divisions between communities will deepen.
There are also international concerns, with the UN, Russia, and Iran calling for restraint. Even Saudi Arabia and Turkey, which back the new regime, worry that this conflict will have long-term consequences. Alawite clerics are now urging the UN to intervene. Unless the ruling interim government changes its course of action, Syria risks sliding back into chaos.
Celebrating Women’s Day on 8th March, Prime Minister Modi handed over his X handle to six women achievers from different fields to pay respect to the ‘Nari Shakti’. The six women achievers including Chess Grandmaster Vaishali Rameshbabu, nuclear scientist Elina Mishra, space scientist Shilpi Soni, entrepreneurs Anita Devi and Ajaita Shah, and founder of Samarthyam Centre for Universal Accessibility Anjlee Agarwal took over the PM’s handle and shared a glimpse of their inspiring journeys.
Chess Grandmaster Vaishali Rameshbabu
Taking over the PM’s X handle Chess Grandmaster Vaishali Rameshbaby, who won the Women’s Grand Chess Tournament 2023, wrote, “I am Vaishali and I am thrilled to be taking over our PM Narendra Modi Ji’s social media properties and that too on #WomensDay. As many of you would know, I play chess and I feel very proud to be representing our beloved country in many tournaments.” She urged parents and siblings to support girls and put faith in their abilities. “Your passion will power your success” is her special message to all women.
Vanakkam!
I am @chessvaishali and I am thrilled to be taking over our PM Thiru @narendramodi Ji’s social media properties and that too on #WomensDay. As many of you would know, I play chess and I feel very proud to be representing our beloved country in many tournaments. pic.twitter.com/LlYTmqE2MQ
Nuclear scientist Elina Mishra and space scientist Shilpi Soni
Next to take over the Prime Minister’s X account were nuclear scientist Elina Mishra and space scientist Shilpi Soni. “Our message – India is the most vibrant place for science and thus, we call upon more women to pursue it,” they wrote. Elina Mishra hails from Bhubaneshwar, Odisha while Shilpi Soni comes from Sagar, Madhya Pradesh. Mishra is providing her services at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai and Soni is working with the Indian Space Research Centre in Bengaluru.
Space technology, nuclear technology and women empowerment…
We are Elina Mishra, a nuclear scientist and Shilpi Soni, a space scientist and we are thrilled to be helming the PM’s social media properties on #WomensDay.
Ananta Devi is an entrepreneur hailing from a village in the Nalanda district in Bihar. She founded a startup named Madhopur Farmers Producer Company Limited. “Today, I am working to take my family forward through mushroom production. I have not only made my path easier but have also made hundreds of women self-reliant by giving them employment opportunities. Now my company also provides essential items like fertilisers, seeds and pesticides to farmers at cheap rates. Today, hundreds of women working in this company are getting a life of self-respect along with livelihood, ” she wrote.
मैं अनीता देवी, नालंदा जिले के अनन्तपुर गांव की रहने वाली हूं। मैंने जीवन में बड़े संघर्ष देखे हैं। लेकिन मेरा हमेशा से मन था, अपने दम पर कुछ करने का। 2016 में मैंने खुद स्वरोजगार करने का निर्णय लिया था। उसी दौर में स्टार्ट-अप्स का इतना क्रेज बढ़ गया था। इसलिए 9 साल पहले मैंने भी… pic.twitter.com/DFrQ8sDJd2
Founder and CEO of Frontier Markets, Ajaita Shah also gave her message for women through PM Modi’s X handle. Shah’s initiative helps women become self-reliant business owners and last-mile distributors of essential goods and services reducing the gap between rural markets and economic growth.
“A financially empowered woman is a confident decision-maker, independent thinker, architect of her own future and a maker of modern India! And, our nation is taking the lead in building financially empowered women,” she wrote in her message to all the women in India.
A financially empowered woman is a confident decision-maker, independent thinker, architect of her own future and a maker of modern India! And, our nation is taking the lead in building financially empowered women.
Founder of Samarthyam Centre for Universal Accessibility Anjlee Agarwal
Anjlee Agarwal has worked to ensure inclusive mobility and barrier-free infrastructure. She is the founder of Samarthyam Centre for Universal Accessibility.
“Let’s ensure that every woman, every individual, can navigate their life with dignity and independence. Let us build on the recent gains and improve lives for persons with disabilities,” she wrote in her message.
Namaste India and Happy #WomensDay. I am Dr. @access_anjlee, founder of @samarthyam Centre for Universal Accessibility. Through PM @narendramodi’s social media handle, which I have the honour of taking over today, I want to ignite a spark of transformation, and seek a call to… pic.twitter.com/HTTgSYHpZd
Pro-Palestinian activists vandalized U.S. President Donald Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in Scotland on Saturday, March 8, 2025. Members of the group called Palestine Action targeted the resort’s clubhouse and several greens.
The activists spray-painted slogans such as “Gaza is not for sale” on the lawn and caused damage by digging up parts of the course. They also sprayed red paint on a building in the golf course. The group posted photographs on social media showing the vandalism they have done.
BREAKING: Trump's Turnberry Golf Resort is fully shut today after actionists dug up the greens and painted 'Gaza is not for sale' on the lawn.
Posting photographs of the same, they wrote, “Yesterday, it was ranked #3 golf course in Europe. Today, its shut.”
In another post on X, they posted a video showing the words “Gaza is not 4 sale” on the greens. They wrote in the tweet, “Whilst Trump attempts to treat Gaza as his property, he should know his own property is within reach.”
BREAKING: Palestine Action wreck Trump's golf course in Turnberry, Scotland.
"GAZA IS NOT FOR SALE" is sprayed across the lawn and the golf course's holes are dug up.
Whilst Trump attempts to treat Gaza as his property, he should know his own property is within reach. pic.twitter.com/ZoH8joHEYi
This act of vandalism comes in response to Trump’s recent proposal to transform Gaza into a luxurious tourist destination, dubbed the “Gaza Riviera.” The plan envisions rebuilding the war-torn area into a glamorous resort and relocating two million Palestinians to neighboring countries, including Egypt and Jordan.
In a statement, Palestine Action criticized Trump’s approach, asserting that Gaza is not his property to dispose of and emphasizing their commitment to resisting U.S.-Israeli colonialism in Palestine. The group said on its website that after entering the 800-acre resort, activists painted in 3-metre-high letters, “GAZA IS NOT FOR SALE” across the lawn of the South Ayrshire course.
“Making the popular opposition to Trump’s intentions clear, activists spray painted the club house and dug up the greens including the course’s most prestigious holes – used in numerous Open Championships,” it added.
Palestine Action said that last night’s action comes as a direct response to the US administration’s stated intent to ethnically cleanse Gaza. They added, “Having laid out his plans to “clean out the whole thing” and forcibly displace its population, the US President last week published an AI video advertising his plans for the Strip, which included himself and the génocidaire Netanyahu, shirtless, drinking at the ‘Trump Gaza’ resort”.
It claimed that “The proposed ethnic cleansing of Gaza and the forcible transfer of the Palestinian population would constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
Authorities were alerted to the damage at approximately 4:40 a.m. on Saturday. Police Scotland has initiated an investigation and is appealing to the public for any information related to the incident.
Senior India Today journalist Rajdeep Sardesai sparked a controversy after he hosted Satpal Singh, a deportee who was sent back by the US after a failed illegal immigration bid, for the ongoing India Today Conclave. During his interview, Sardesai asked Singh to share his experience of being deported from the US despite spending a huge amount of money to enter the country.
Sharing his experience, the man said that the deportees were chained by the US authorities and kept for 15 days in Panama and 5 days in San Diego, California. He said that the deportees were kept in extremely cold temperatures. “They kept us in extremely cold temperatures. Even if one of us was sick or had a fever, they refused to give us medicine. They tortured after every hour,” Singh told Sardesai. Singh also alleged that Indians are treated like animals in the United States.
The grueling tale of illegal immigrants deported from the US in their own words. Listen in to the horror faced by one of the deportees, Satpal Singh, who was duped of 55 Lakh rupees in the name of getting US Visa.
Responding to Sardesai’s question as to why and how he entered the United States and whether he took the ‘dunki route’, Singh said that he was conned by his travel agent who promised to help him enter the US legally but later went back on his word and made him illegally enter the US through Suriname. “My agent got me a visa to Suriname and assured me that since I was educated I would enter the US from there through a flight. On reaching Suriname, I lost my phone and was not able to contact my family for 4-5 days. When I got a phone I talked to my family and asked them to talk to the agent who was now telling me to enter the US through a ‘2 number way’ (illegally). I did not want to enter the country illegally, ” Singh claimed. Satpal Singh, a resident of Firozpur district in Punjab, said that he was forced to go to the US due to poverty as he did not find any job here in India.
Notably, Singh, who sold his land to pay ₹55 lakhs to the travel agent, said that he lost his father due to poverty. He said that his father suffered from kidney failure and because he had no money he could not pay for his dialysis. He added that his mother has also undergone heart surgery. Therefore, he decided to go to the US to seek job opportunities.
It is worth noting that the US has invariably deported illegal immigrants back to India, even before PM Modi’s ascension to power. But the recent deportation of illegal Indian immigrants sparked discussions online, for it was perhaps the first time that the deportees were handcuffed with their legs chained. But since poignant pictures of Indians handcuffed and chained swept the internet, a raft of pro-Congress journalists and political commentators sought to use the incidents to target the Modi government.
People call out Rajdeep Sardesai for promoting illegal immigration
One such attempt was underway at the India Today Conclave where Rajdeep tried to humanise a criminal who spent a whooping Rs 55 lakhs seeking greener pastures abroad. Predictably, social media was unrelenting in calling out Rajdeep for platforming a man involved in criminal activities and allowing him to play the victim.
Popular X user @GabbbarSingh expressed his disapproval, stating that it was unbecoming of India Today to offer centre stage and allow someone involved in illegal immigration to play the victim. He stated that someone who could spend Rs 55 lakhs for a non-life threatening migration could not be a victim and sarcastically added if the channel would promote ‘Dunky Vikas Yojana’ to compensate such people.
Really poor from India today. Giving Criminals who illegally crossed borders a centre stage and letting them play victim. These aren’t the poor. Someone who could afford 55L for a non-life threatening migration isn’t a victim. What next a Dunky Vikas Yojna where you compensate… https://t.co/GYLbGr6Ayi
Padma Shree Awardee Mohandas Pai wrote on X questioning Sardesai for glorifying illegal immigrants and peddling a victimhood narrative. “Why are you glorifying a person who paid huge sums for human trafficking, broke laws, went illegally and was deported, and creating a victimhood narrative? Big Shame! They were not duped. They knew it was illegal, and paid huge sums. If they had invested this money here they would be well off. Pl stop promoting such illegal activities by glorifying them,” wrote Pai.
@sardesairajdeep why are you glorifying a person who paid huge sums for human trafficking, broke laws, went illegally and was deported, and creating a victimhood narrative? Big shame! They were not duped. They knew it was illegal, paid huge sums. If they had invested this money… https://t.co/Ft2xPvtyPc
Responding to Pai”s comment, Sradesai defended himself saying that he was not glorifying anyone but only sharing the stories of people who took the ‘dunki route’ after being duped by travel agents. “Oh common @TVMohandasPai baab: no one is ‘glorifying anyone’. Far from it. But it is important to hear the stories of those who took the ‘dunki’ route, often duped by unscrupulous agents. Many of them are ‘victims’ and not villains. Ask yourself this instead: why do so many Indians feel the need to sell off their land to try their luck abroad? Very easy to sit in or cushy world of privilege and target those much less fortunate. Rehabilitate them instead of targeting them. At least listen to them before judging them!” wrote Sardesai.
Oh cmon @TVMohandasPai baab: no one is ‘glorifying’ anyone. Far from it. But it is important to hear the stories of those who took the ‘dunki’ route, often duped by unscrupulous agents. Many of them are ‘victims’ and not villains. Ask yourself this instead: why do so many Indians… https://t.co/pKW0hCikNk
Considering that Satpal Singh spent ₹55 lakh to go to the US, it is difficult to believe that he was a ‘less fortunate’ ‘victim’ of the fraud. Even if one believed that Satpal Singh was defrauded by his travel agent, it is impossible to believe that he could not realise that he was being duped by his agent into using a treacherous means to enter the US, which could stand the risk of arrest and subsequent deportation.
However, after being accused of glorifying illegal immigrants, Rajdeep pulled out the emotional calling card, painting Singh as a victim and urging his followers to wonder why Indians feel the need to sell off their lands to try their luck abroad. “Very easy to sit in our cushy world of privilege and target those much much less fortunate. Rehabilitate them instead of targeting them. At least listen to them before judging them!” Sardesai pontificated.
But someone who risked Rs 55 lakhs in pursuit of a better life abroad definitely is not “less fortunate” as Sardesai would have us believe. In fact, if anything, the person could be termed as “delusional” for pursuing the American dream without having a place to dwell and a job to work.
When individuals commit crimes due to delusions, they can no longer be considered “less fortunate.” While the force of the situation compels some to commit crimes, they are not glorified or downplayed as victims, and certainly not invited to luxury hotels for Conclaves to narrate their side of the story.
One BSF jawan was injured when a BSF team was attacked by Bangladeshi smugglers West Bengal on Saturday. A smuggler was killed when the soldiers had to open fire to respond to the attack. The incident took place near the border area of Raiganj in Darjeeling district of West Bengal during the early hours of Saturday.
As per reports, a group of around 15 to 20 smugglers from Bangladesh crossed over into the Indian territory by breaching the border fencing. They were then joined by their Indian counterparts to smuggle cattle and contraband items. The BSF party spotted them and asked them to surrender. But the smugglers suddenly attacked the soldiers using lathis and sharp-edged weapons like sickles.
The attackers also pelted stones on the BSF team, who fired stun grenades to disperse them. But the smugglers continued to attack them, and even attempted to snatch their weapons. One BSF soldier was seriously injured in the attack.
As a result, the injured jawan fired his INSAS rifle, and shot a smuggler. The other smugglers fled from the scene taking the cover of darkness in the early morning.
When the BSF team searched the area after that, they found the injured man. But he later succumbed to his injuries. Two cattle and sharp-edged weapons used in the attack were recovered from the spot.
The injured jawan has been rushed to a hospital, and his condition is stable.
This is the second such incident in a week, where a Bangladeshi smuggler was killed and a BSF soldier injured after smugglers attacked BSF team. Last ween in Tripura, a similar group of 2025 smugglers from Bangladesh attacked a BSF team after they were spotted and asked to stop. When one BSF soldier was injured in the attack, a soldier fired a rubber bullet which hit a smuggler. He was taken to a hospital where he died later.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday (March 8) made explosive revelations about existing members of his party. Gandhi stated that certain party members were secretly aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), claiming that he could dismiss 30-40 Congress leaders if necessary.
Speaking on the second day of his Gujarat visit, Gandhi emphasised the need to identify and remove individuals within the party’s Gujarat unit who were covertly supporting the BJP, warning of strict measures, including potential expulsions.
Insinuating sabotage from existing Congress members, Gandhi, who is on his visit to Gujarat to lay the groundwork for the 2027 assembly elections, emphasized the need to cleanse the Congress party in the BJP-ruled state. He warned that up to 40 leaders could be dismissed if necessary, as Congress has been out of power in Gujarat for decades.
Addressing party workers, Gandhi categorised the Gujarat Congress leadership and workers into two groups—those who genuinely serve the people, uphold party ideology, and fight for the public, and those who are disconnected, disrespectful, and, in some cases, aligned with the BJP. He stressed the need for strict action against those secretly working for the rival party, stating that separating these two factions was crucial to rebuilding trust with the people. He affirmed that Congress was prepared to remove 10, 15, or even 40 individuals to set an example.
Gandhi acknowledged that Congress had failed to meet public expectations, leading to its prolonged absence from power in Gujarat. He urged the party to shift its focus from merely winning elections to earning the trust of the people by addressing their concerns. Criticizing the BJP government, he claimed that people in the state felt trapped and that key industries were struggling.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday seized a Hawker 800A jet (N935H) at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA).
Officials said the jet was allegedly owned by Amardeep Kumar, the prime accused in an alleged Rs 850 crore ‘Falcon scam. ‘
According to officials privy to the ED’s action, Kumar and an accomplice used the aircraft to flee to Dubai on January 22.
Investigators confirmed Kumar as the beneficial owner of the jet, which was purchased in 2024 for USD 1.6 million (Rs 14 crore) via Prestige Jets Inc.
The ED claims that proceeds from the Falcon Group’s Ponzi scheme were diverted to purchase the jet.
Upon landing in Shamshabad, officials said, the jet was seized, crew members were questioned, and the ED team recorded a close associate’s statement.
The Falcon group allegedly collected Rs 1,700 crore from investors, promising high returns through a fraudulent invoice discounting investment scheme. Out of the total funds collected, Rs 850 crore was repaid, but 6,979 investors were left unpaid.
Key executives, including Amardeep (Chairman and MD) and others, remain absconding.
On February 15, the Cyberabad police arrested Pavan Kumar Odela (VP ) and Kavya Nalluri (Director of Falcon Capital Ventures) in connection with the scam.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
A church is being converted into a Hindu temple dedicated to Bhagwan Bhairavji in Sodaladoodha village, Gangadtalai, Banswara, Rajasthan. Notably, the Church used to be a temple around 125 years ago. The development came after the church’s pastor, Gautam Garasiya, and 80 Christian families in the area decided to do ghar wapsi to Hinduism under the Bharat Mata Mandir Project. The church is scheduled to be converted into a temple on 9 March 2025.
According to media reports, the church witnessed Sunday prayers for decades and housed a Christian cross. However, following the conversion, it has been painted saffron. After 9 March, the chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ will echo in the temple instead of biblical verses.
Garasiya had adopted Christianity 30 years ago and later became a pastor. He has now returned to Hinduism along with several villagers. The transformation work for the temple is in full swing for the 9 March event. While the building has been painted saffron, major changes are being made to the internal structure as well. The elevated prayer space inside the building is being transformed into a pedestal for Bhairavji’s idol. Furthermore, the roof of the hall will be flattened, and all doors and walls will soon get a saffron hue.
Reportedly, Gautam was the first person in Sodaladoodha to convert to Christianity three decades ago. Soon, the Christian population grew in the area, and he was appointed as the pastor of the village. He would organise Sunday prayer meetings in his hut. Three years ago, he proposed the construction of a church, which was later built.
As his influence grew, several villagers, including his family members, adopted Christianity. However, in recent years, Gautam, his two sons, their families, and other relatives returned to Hinduism. Last year, 30 out of 45 converted villagers did ghar wapsi following Gautam’s footsteps. The remaining 15 are expected to do the same. Gautam’s wife, however, has not adopted Hinduism as of now and continues to practise Christianity.
According to a Dainik Bhaskar report, the Christian symbols inside the church are being replaced with Hindu imagery. A framed picture of Bhagwan Ram has been placed on a chair inside. The entrance of the village has also been adorned with religious flags of local deities, marking the resurgence of Sanatan Dharma.
The idol of Bhairavji is being brought from Talwara to Gangadtalai. From there, it will be carried with pomp and grandeur to Sodaladoodha and installed in the temple. Villagers explained that Bhairavji is considered a guardian deity who protects the village, which is why they decided to dedicate the temple to him.
Four years ago, Meera Garasiya and her husband converted to Christianity. They are among those who have done ghar wapsi. Several locals are actively working to reconnect former converts with their ancestral faith. Sukhai Garasiya, a local woman associated with Hindu organisations, is one of them.
Locals who have done ghar wapsi believe that the construction of the temple will encourage others to return to Hinduism soon. The incident has given hope that a significant religious shift can happen and that those who converted to Christianity in Rajasthan will do ghar wapsi sooner or later.
The issue of expansion of Al-Matin Mosque in Brahmapuri area of Seelampur has heated up again. The Hindus here say that Muslims first come secretly, buy flats, then buy houses, build mosques, and gradually occupy the entire area. Then as soon as they get a chance, the whole community unites and attacks the Hindus.
In the anti-Hindu riots of 2020, bullets were fired from this mosque, after which, the fear among Hindus deepened. Now an attempt is being made to extend the mosque in front of the Shiva temple in Gali No. 12. The work started without getting the map passed, flouting the rules of MCD. However, the biggest question is where is the money coming from for this? The person who donated land worth ₹40 lakh runs a slipper shop. Is it foreign funding that is financing it? This story is not just about the mosque, but about suspicious funding, conspiracy and fear of Hindus. Let us understand it in detail.
It is is necessary to understand the root cause, where the game started
The story of Al-Mateen Mosque in Brahmapuri begins in the year 2013. Local Pandit Lal Shankar Gautam says, “In 2013, Muslims bought a flat in Gali No. 13. Namaaz started there, no one said anything. However, gradually they converted that flat into a four-storey mosque.” Gautam says that all this was well planned. First they took a small space, then kept expanding it.
Gautam believes that Muslims enter the area in this way. First they buy a flat, then the houses around it, and build a mosque. Initially everything seems fine, but later the situation changes. Hindus in the area feel that all this is a preparation to take over their daily lives.
In February 2020, riots broke out in North-East Delhi. Violence in Brahmapuri and Seelampur took the lives of 53 people. During this time, the name of Al-Mateen Mosque came to the fore. Gautam says, “On February 25, a mob coming out of the mosque fired bullets. Video evidence is also available. Suddenly a crowd of thousands gathered. False rumours of setting the mosque on fire were spread. Then there was firing in lane number 13, in which three Hindu boys were injured.”
Hindus say that all this was premeditated. The entire Muslim community united and attacked the Hindus. Gautam says, “That day we understood that the mosque is not just for Namaz, it is a place to show their strength.” After the riots, fear gripped the Hindus. Many families left the area. People started feeling that some big game is going on in the name of the mosque.
The mosque is being expanded as per pre-meditated plan
After the anti-Hindu riots of 2020, efforts to expand the mosque started. In 2023, the mosque owners bought two plots in Gali number-12. Both plots were 75-75 yards, i.e. a total of 150 yards. One plot belonged to Kulbhushan Sharma, which was with his family since 1967. The other was Kuldeep Kumar’s. Gautam says, “First they bought the houses, then demolished them. Now a part of the mosque is being built there.”
The plan was to open a new gate of the mosque in Gali number-12, which falls right in front of the Shiva temple built in 1984. Hindus do not approve of this at all. About 60 Hindu families live in Gali number-12. Hindus fear that if the mosque is expanded, the crowd will increase and an attack like 2020 may happen again. Shankar Lal Gautam adds, “If the mosque becomes twice as big, then think, how many people will gather here. Then who will save us?”
The entire mechanism behind the expansion of the mosque shows a pattern
Now let’s talk about funding, which is the biggest question in this story. The method of purchasing two plots in Gali number-12 is suspicious. The first plot was purchased from Kulbhushan Sharma in January 2023. Syed Mubashshir Hussain, Obaid ur Rehman and Abdul Khaliq made a deal for Rs 40 lakh 70 thousand. Kulbhushan owned this property since 2013, which his father Kishan Chand bought in 1967. At that time, Hindus were in majority here. But in 2013, when Al-Mateen Mosque started in Gali number-13, then the eyes of Muslims fell on this land.
The breakdown of the deal was like this – Rs 13 lakh 50 thousand were given through bank transfer in three installments. Obaid ur Rehman transferred Rs 13 lakh 50 thousand from Union Bank on 30th December 2022, Abdul Khaliq transferred money from State Bank on 2nd January 2023, and Mubashshir Hussain transferred money from Bank of Baroda on 5th January 2023. Only Rs 20 thousand were given in cash. The registry was completed in January 2023. Then, on 20th March 2024, this land was donated to Al-Mateen Welfare Society, whose president is Abdul Aleem. His address is in Nizamuddin in Delhi, which is quite far from Brahmapuri.
The second plot was purchased from Kuldeep Kumar in April 2023. Sameer Ahmed, Mohammad Alfahad and Zaheen Ahmed made a deal for Rs 40 lakh 70 thousand. Here too the pattern was the same. Rs 13 lakh 50 thousand were transferred from three accounts. Money was transferred from Union Bank on 3rd April 2023, from Central Bank of India by cheque on 5th April 2023, and from Punjab National Bank via RTGS on 27th April 2023. Rs 20,000 was given in cash.
Kuldeep and Kulbhushan got a total of Rs 81 lakh 40 thousand in both the deals. The stamp duty on the registry was 2 lakh 44 thousand and 200 rupees. While transferring the land through the gift deed, stamp duty of 2 lakh 85 thousand and 600 rupees was paid, which included Rs 2 lakh 4 thousand for 6% stamp and 81 thousand 600 rupees for 2% corporation tax. In this way, each property worth 40 lakh 70 thousand came in at around 45-46 lakhs. More than 90 lakhs combined were spent on both the plots.
It is being whispered that this property was bought for about Rs. 2.5 crores, since in land deals a large amount is paid in cash so that the taxes are minimized. However, we are currently talking only about the amount that is on record.
Zakat of 13.5 lakh from a slipper shop?
The most shocking thing about it is the role of Zaheen Ahmed alias Guddu. He has a slipper shop in the weekly market. He invested 13 lakh 70 thousand rupees in land and donated it in a year. Gautam says, “Where did a slipper seller get so much money? No one can digest this.” Zaheen’s signature is in Hindi, everyone else’s in English. The matter is not about language, but about his background. How can a person who runs his household by selling slippers give such a huge amount? Hindus suspect that there may be foreign funding behind this. The address of the president of Al-Mateen Welfare Society being in Nizamuddin also raises questions. Is this a big network?
Foreign hand in funding?
Where did the money come from to buy and donate this land worth more than 90 lakhs? It is suspicious that a slipper seller like Zaheen gave so much money. Hindus feel that there may be foreign funding. The connection between Al-Mateen Welfare Society and Nizamuddin raises suspicion. Gautam says, “It is necessary to get to the source of the money. What are government agencies doing? Children are given religious education in the mosque. They do not get help from the government. There is probably no registration either. Then where does so much money come from?”
All these things scare the Hindus living in Brahmapuri. They are understanding that Muslims in any area work in a pattern. In Brahmapuri, first flat, then house, then mosque. The tension of 2018, the attack of 2020 and now the expansion due to suspicious funding is proof of this. In such a situation, if the mystery of funding is solved, then the layers of conspiracy will unravel.
